Network Coverage Management via Dynamic Relay Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moving devices such as drones and vehicles often experience loss of network reception due to gaps in network coverage, known as 'dead zones,' which can be critical for navigation and communication, posing risks to the devices and their surroundings.
Innovation Solution
Creating network connectivity maps based on historical data to identify dead zones and strategically repositioning or configuring devices as relay points to enhance network coverage, leveraging devices with different capabilities to facilitate communication between incompatible systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices operate in areas with network coverage gaps, then device mobility and operational flexibility are improved, but network connectivity reliability deteriorates due to dead zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay devices as intermediary nodes between base stations and target devices. These relay devices receive signals from base stations and retransmit them to devices in dead zones, effectively mediating the communication path and extending network coverage to areas that would otherwise be unreachable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional base station coverage to three-dimensional coverage by deploying relay devices at various heights and positions. This spatial dimensionality change allows signals to reach devices in dead zones by utilizing vertical and diagonal propagation paths.
2Reliability
If relay devices are deployed to extend network coverage, then network connectivity in dead zones is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional device coordination
Solution Approach 1:
Relay devices automatically discover their roles and configure themselves based on their spatial positions and signal strength measurements. The system performs self-organization where devices autonomously determine optimal relay paths without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors signal quality, device positions, and network conditions, using this feedback to dynamically adjust relay device positions and signal routing. This closed-loop control simplifies management by allowing the system to self-optimize based on real-time conditions.
3Reliability
If devices are repositioned to improve network connectivity, then signal strength is improved, but task execution efficiency may deteriorate due to manipulation overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions relay devices in optimal locations before tasks are executed, and pre-establishes communication paths based on predicted device trajectories. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time repositioning during task execution, maintaining productivity while ensuring connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic relay device selection where the active relay changes based on current task requirements and device positions. This allows the system to adapt connectivity solutions on-the-fly without physically moving devices during critical task execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for improving network connectivity. A method includes creating at least one network connectivity map based on a first set of network connectivity data for historical devices operating within a network; obtaining data for a plurality of devices currently operating within the network, wherein the obtained data includes a second set of network connectivity data for the plurality of devices and a plurality of task statuses for tasks assigned to the plurality of devices; and manipulating a first device of the plurality of devices in order to improve network connectivity of a second device of the plurality of devices, wherein the first device is manipulated based on the second set of network connectivity data, the plurality of task statuses, and the at least one network connectivity map.